Prevention is the best line of defense

There are different types of ants—tiny dark brown nuisance ants and big black or black and red carpenter ants—and both are attracted to water, grease, sweets and food crumbs. Make your place as unappealing as possible to both kinds.

Invasion in progress: Use a borax-based bait

Place the bait as close as possible to the ants' entry point. Check it daily and replace as needed until the trail is gone.

Once you see a trail of ants snaking through your home, Hamrick says that soap and water often aren’t enough to get rid of the problem.

Infinite numbers of workers are in the nest ready to replace what you wash away.

“You have to feed the colony to wipe it out,” he says. Use bait stations – like Terro–with borax as their active ingredient. Borax is a non-carcinogenic mineral. But the small doses of it used in bait stations are lethal to ants.

Be sure to always read the label before using any product.

For carpenter ants: Call a professional

Carpenter ants are larger than most other ants in Oregon. They can range from a quarter to a half-inch long. If you’ve got them or suspect you do, it might be time for a consult with a professional. A good pest controller should be able to locate and remove the colony—which is more effective and safer than spraying the building perimeter.

Be sure to ask lots of questions including what less-toxic options they have if chemicals are needed. Don’t forget to get a written proposal describing what pests they found, what products they use and what guarantee they offer.

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